Gateway apparatus, communication apparatus, apparatus co-operation network system,  and apparatus co-operation method

ABSTRACT

A gateway apparatus for allowing a plurality of apparatuses on a first network to co-operate with each other includes: a message monitoring unit which monitors messages communicated on the first network, and detects an apparatus discovery message for discovering an apparatus that satisfies an arbitrary requirement; an activation state managing unit which checks whether at least one target apparatus among the apparatuses that satisfies the requirement indicated by the apparatus discovery message is in an activated state for communication on the first network; a predicted activation time determining unit which determines a predicted activation time predicted as required to activate the at least one target apparatus; and a proxy response unit which transmits, in proxy of the at least one target apparatus, a response message including information indicating the predicted activation time when the at least one target apparatus is not in an activated state.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a gateway apparatus, a communicationapparatus, an apparatus co-operation network system, and an apparatusco-operation method for allowing a plurality of apparatuses on a networkto co-operate with each other.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, most of consumer electronics such as television sets andmobile devices such as mobile phones have a communication function suchas a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) and Ethernet (registeredtrademark). As such, development has been actively performed onapparatus co-operation networks for allowing such apparatuses to exerttheir functions in a co-operated manner.

Furthermore, with increase in environmental consciousness, power-sourcemanagement networks for realizing visualization of electric powerconsumption of each of consumer electronics and home energy managementsystems (HEMS) for managing activation states have been increasinglyintroduced in recent home network systems.

For this reason, it is assumed that future consumer electronics areconnected to at least two networks that are an apparatus co-operationnetwork connected for network AV control and a power source managementnetwork connected for power saving etc.

In addition, apparatus co-operation network systems in whichhigh-function mobile terminals such as smart phones having a wirelessLAN function are used as controllers have appeared in network AV controlfor television sets, recorders etc. representing DLNA (Digital LivingNetwork Affiance). In this case, such mobile terminals are connected toapparatus co-operation networks and control the television sets andrecorders in the networks. Accordingly, the users can reproduce anarbitrary content from an arbitrary apparatus by operating their mobileterminals.

In such apparatus co-operation network systems, IP-based communicationtechniques are mainly used. For this reason, in most cases, such anapparatus need to be in a state for interpreting at least the IPprotocol. However, in terms of electric power consumption, it isundesirable that such apparatuses are always in an activated state forinterpreting the IP protocol. For this reason, a problem may occur whensuch apparatuses are used. For example, when the power source of atelevision receiver is turned OFF or the television receiver is in astate of waiting at a level that does not allow interpretation of the IPprotocol, the television receiver cannot at all be controlled using amobile terminal.

In view of such a problem, a technique is disclosed in which a serverapparatus monitors a message to apparatuses in a sleep state in a homenetwork, responds to the message in proxy of the sleeping apparatuses,and activates the sleeping apparatuses (for example, see PatentLiterature 1). In this way, it is possible to start control of thetarget apparatuses utilizing the apparatus co-operation network withoutrequiring the users to take trouble to activate the target apparatusesthat are not yet completely activated.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature [PTL 1]

-   Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3139481

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, the conventional scheme has been conceived without consideringa case where it takes a long time that is 10 seconds or more to actuallyactivate a target apparatus. Thus, in apparatus co-operation forconsumer electronics, a too-long activation time may make a user of theapparatus co-operation network system feel anxious.

Especially in apparatus co-operation network systems, a user may controlan apparatus located at a place outside a visible area, via an apparatusthat is operated by the user. If the activation time of the targetapparatus is too long in such a case, the user may feel very anxiousbecause he or she cannot understand a current state and perform anerroneous operation. Such an erroneous operation may result in a failureof the apparatus co-operation.

In addition, if the activation time of the target apparatus is too longin such a case, a message may be transmitted to the target apparatusbefore the activation, resulting in a failure of the apparatusco-operation.

The present invention has been conceived to solve the aforementionedproblems, with an aim to provide a gateway apparatus, a communicationapparatus, an apparatus co-operation network system, and an apparatusco-operation method for allowing a plurality of apparatuses to stablyco-operate with each other even when at least one of the apparatuses onthe network is not in an activated state.

Solution to Problem

In order to achieve the aim, a gateway apparatus according to an aspectof the present invention is a gateway apparatus which is for allowing aplurality of apparatuses on a first network to co-operate with eachother, and which includes: a message monitoring unit configured tomonitor messages communicated on the first network, and detect anapparatus discovery message for discovering an apparatus that satisfiesan arbitrary requirement; an activation state managing unit configuredto check whether at least one target apparatus included in theapparatuses and satisfying the requirement indicated by the apparatusdiscovery message is in an activated state for communication on thefirst network; a predicted activation time determining unit configuredto determine a predicted activation time that is a time predicted asrequired to activate the at least one target apparatus; and a proxyresponse unit configured to transmit, in proxy of the at least onetarget apparatus, a response message including information indicatingthe predicted activation time, when the at least one target apparatus isnot in an activated state.

With this structure, it is possible to transmit, in proxy of the targetapparatus, the response message including the information indicating thepredicted activation time, when the target apparatus is not in anactivated state. Accordingly, the apparatus which receives the responsemessage can execute various kinds of processes based on the predictedactivation time for the target apparatus included in the responsemessage, and to thereby stably co-operate with the target apparatus.

In addition, the gateway apparatus preferably further includes anactivation time collecting unit configured to collect an activation timeof the at least one target apparatus, based on a time at whichactivation of the at least one target apparatus is started and areception time of a network join message indicating that the at leastone target apparatus is already in the activated state for communicationon the first network, wherein the predicted activation time determiningunit is preferably configured to determine the predicted activationtime, based on a previously collected activation time of the at leastone target apparatus.

With this structure, it is possible to determine the predictedactivation time based on the previously collected activation time of thetarget apparatus, and to thereby increase the accuracy of the predictedactivation time.

In addition, the predicted activation time determining unit ispreferably further configured to calculate a prediction accuracy of thepredicted activation time, based on the number of times of collecting anactivation time of the at least one target apparatus, and the responsemessage preferably further includes information indicating theprediction accuracy.

With this structure, since the response message includes the informationindicating the prediction accuracy, the apparatus which receives theresponse message can execute various kinds of processes based on theprediction accuracy, and can stably co-operate with the targetapparatus.

In addition, the gateway apparatus preferably further includes aremote-activation control unit configured to remotely activate the atleast one target apparatus via a second network, when the responsemessage is transmitted, wherein the activation time collecting unit ispreferably configured to collect the activation time of the at least onetarget apparatus, regarding a time at which remote activation of the atleast one target apparatus is started as the time at which theactivation of the at least one target apparatus is started.

With this structure, it is possible to perform the remote activation ofthe target apparatus, and to use the time at which the remote activationof the target apparatus is started as the time at which the targetapparatus starts to be activated. Accordingly, it is possible to collecta more accurate activate time.

In addition, the network join message preferably includes informationindicating whether the at least one target apparatus is already remotelyactivated by the gateway apparatus or not, and the activation timecollecting unit is preferably configured to collect the activation timeof the at least one target apparatus only when the network join messageindicates that the at least one target apparatus is already remotelyactivated by the gateway apparatus.

With this structure, it is possible to collect the activation time onlywhen the network join message indicates the successful remoteactivation. In other words, it is possible to suppress collection of anactivation time, based on the network join message that is transmittedin the case of activation by an activation process other than remoteactivation. As a result, it is possible to collect an accurateactivation time in the case of the remote activation by the gatewayapparatus.

In addition, the remote-activation control unit is preferably configuredto remotely activate the at least one target apparatus when the at leastone target apparatus is one in number, and avoid remotely activating theat least one target apparatus when the at least one target apparatus istwo or more in number.

With this structure, it is possible to suppress increase in electricpower consumption when the at least one target apparatus is two or morein number because there is no need to perform remote activation on allthe target apparatuses that are not in an activated state.

In addition, the gateway apparatus preferably further includes anactivation time collecting unit configured to collect an activation timeof the at least one target apparatus, based on a power consumption valueof the at least one target apparatus, wherein the predicted activationtime determining unit is preferably configured to determine thepredicted activation time, based on a previously collected activationtime of the at least one target apparatus.

With this structure, it is possible to easily collect an activation timeof the target apparatus, based on the power consumption value of thetarget apparatus.

A communication apparatus according to an aspect of the presentinvention is a communication apparatus which co-operates withapparatuses on a first network. The communication apparatus includes anapparatus co-operation processing unit configured to transmit, to theapparatuses on the first network, an apparatus discovery message fordiscovering an apparatus that satisfies an arbitrary requirement, andreceive a response message to the apparatus discovery message, andexecutes at least one predetermined process, based on the predictedactivation time when the response message includes the predictedactivation time that is a time predicted as required to activate the atleast one target apparatus that satisfies the requirement indicated bythe apparatus discovery message.

With this structure, when the response message to the apparatusdiscovery message includes the predicted activation time, it is possibleto execute at least one predetermined process based on the predictedactivated time.

In addition, the communication apparatus preferably includes a notifyingunit configured to execute, as the predetermined process, a process ofnotifying a user of the predicted activation time when the responsemessage includes the predicted activation time.

With this structure, when the response message includes the predictedactivation time, it is possible to notify the user of the predictedactivation time and to suppress erroneous user operation.

In addition, the apparatus co-operation processing unit is preferablyconfigured, when the response message includes the predicted activationtime, to execute, as the predetermined process, a process oftransmitting, to the at least one target apparatus indicated by theresponse message, a message for co-operation between the communicationapparatus and the target apparatus, after the predicted activation timeelapses from a reception time of the response message.

With this structure, it is possible to transmit the message to thetarget apparatus after the elapse of the predicted activation timeincluded in the response message, and thus enable stable co-operationwith the target apparatus.

In addition, the apparatus co-operation processing unit is preferablyconfigured, when the response message includes the predicted activationtime, to execute, as the predetermined process, a process oftransmitting, to the at least one target apparatus indicated by theresponse message, a message for co-operation between the communicationapparatus and the target apparatus, after the predicted activation timeelapses from a reception time of the response message.

With this structure, when the at least one target apparatus is two ormore in number, it is possible to transmit the apparatus discoverymessage for discovering one target apparatus selected from among thetarget apparatuses. As a result, the gateway apparatus does not need toactivate all the target apparatuses. Therefore, it is possible tosuppress increase in the power consumption amount.

In addition, the gateway apparatus may be configured as an integratedcircuit.

In addition, the present invention can be realized as an apparatusco-operation network system including the gateway apparatus and thecommunication apparatus as described above. In addition, the presentinvention can be realized as an apparatus co-operation method includingthe steps corresponding to the operations performed by the uniquestructural units of the gateway apparatus. In addition, the presentinvention can be realized as a program for causing a computer to executethese steps of the apparatus co-operation method. Such a program cannaturally be distributed via recording media such as CD-ROMs ortransmission media such as the Internet.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possibleto remotely activate a target apparatus in a network when the targetapparatus is not in an activation state, and transmit a response messageincluding a predicted activation time required for the target apparatus,in proxy of the target apparatus. Accordingly, the apparatus whichreceives the response message can execute various kinds of processesbased on the predicted activation time for the target apparatus, and tothereby stably co-operate with the target apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically shows an apparatus co-operation network systemaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a functional structure of a gatewayapparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of an activation state list accordingto Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example of an apparatus information listaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a functional structure of a clientapparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a functional structure of a serverapparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an information flow in theapparatus co-operation network system according to Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processes performed by the gateway apparatusaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of processes performed by the client apparatusaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an example of information displayed by theclient apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of activation processes performed by the serverapparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of stream transmission processes performed by theserver apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 13 schematically shows an apparatus co-operation network systemaccording to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an information flow in theapparatus co-operation network system according to Embodiment 2 of thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of processes performed by the gateway apparatusaccording to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of processes performed by the client apparatusaccording to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 17A is a diagram of an example of information displayed by theclient apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 17B is a diagram of an example of information displayed by theclient apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of an example of an apparatus information listaccording to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a functional structure of a gatewayapparatus according to an aspect of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described withreference to the drawings. Each of the following embodiments describedbelow shows a preferred specific example of the present invention. Inother words, the numerical values, structural elements, the arrangementand connection of the structural elements, steps, the processing orderof the steps etc. shown in the following exemplary embodiments are mereexamples, and therefore do not limit the present invention. The presentinvention is defined based on the descriptions in the Claims.Accordingly, among the structural elements in the following exemplaryembodiments, structural elements not recited in any one of theindependent claims defining the most generic part of the presentinvention are not always necessary for achieving the aim of the presentinvention although these structural elements are described as structuralelements of preferred embodiments.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 schematically shows an apparatus co-operation network system 1000according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1,the apparatus co-operation network system 1000 includes a gatewayapparatus 1003, a client apparatus 1004, and a server apparatus 1005.

The gateway apparatus 1003, the client apparatus 1004, and the serverapparatus 1005 are connected to a first network 1001 wirelessly. Thefirst network 1001 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) that is acommunication network using the IP (Internet Protocol).

The gateway apparatus 1003, the client apparatus 1004, and the serverapparatus 1005 may be connected to the first network 1001 in a mannerother than wirelessly.

The server apparatus 1005 and the gateway apparatus 1003 are connectedto a second network 1002. The gateway apparatus 1003 can remotelyactivates the server apparatus 1005 via the second network 1002.

Preferably, the second network 1002 is a particular power-savingwireless network such as ZigBee. In this way, the server apparatus 1005can reduce electric power that must be supplied even in a non-activatedstate in order for communication via the second network 1002. In otherwords, the server apparatus 1005 can reduce electric power for standby.

The second network 1002 may be, for example, a unique exclusive network.In addition, the second network 1002 may be formed, for example, as asignal line for activation control by a power source switch. In otherwords, the second network 1002 may be identical to the first network1001 as long as the second network 1002 can exert the minimum functionof changing the state of a target apparatus connected in the networkfrom an activated state and a non-activated state.

Here, when the target apparatus is in an activated state, the targetapparatus can make communication in the first network 1001. On the otherhand, when the target apparatus is in a non-activated state, the targetapparatus cannot make communication in the first network 1001.

Next, each of apparatuses included in the apparatus co-operation networksystem 1000 is described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a functional structure of a gatewayapparatus 1003 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Thisgateway apparatus 1003 corresponds to a gateway device. Morespecifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the gateway apparatus 1003 includes: afirst communication unit 1101, a second communication unit 1102, anactivation state managing unit 1103, a remote-activation control unit1105, a message monitoring unit 1106, an activation time collecting andmanaging unit 1107, a proxy response unit 1109, and a memory unit 1110.

The first communication unit 1101 is a communication interface forcommunication with one of the apparatuses (the apparatus here is theclient apparatus 1004 or the server apparatus 1005) in the first network1001. The second communication unit 1102 is a communication network forcommunication with one of the apparatuses (the apparatus here is theserver apparatus 1005) in the second network 1002.

The activation state managing unit 1103 checks whether or not theapparatus in the second network 1002 is in an activated state, using thesecond communication unit 1102.

Furthermore, the activation state managing unit 1103 stores the resultof the check in the activation state list 1104 in association withapparatus ID for identifying the apparatus. The details of theactivation state list 1104 is described later with reference to FIG. 3.

The remote-activation control unit 1105 controls the activation state ofthe apparatus by giving the apparatus in the second network 1002 aninstruction for activation or termination. In other words, theremote-activation control unit 1105 changes the state of the apparatusfrom a non-activated state to an activated state by remotely activatingthe apparatus via the second network 1002. Furthermore, theremote-activation control unit 1105 notifies the activation timecollecting and managing unit 1107 of a time at which the remoteactivation of the apparatus is started.

The message monitoring unit 1106 detects an apparatus discovery messageby monitoring messages communicated in the first network 1001. Inaddition, upon discovering the apparatus discovery message, the messagemonitoring unit 1106 requests the activation state managing unit 1103 tocheck whether or not the target apparatus is in an activated state.

Here, the apparatus discovery message is a message for discovering theapparatus that satisfies an arbitrary requirement from among theapparatuses on the first network 1001. More specifically, the apparatusdiscovery message is a message for requesting the target apparatus thatsatisfies the requirement indicated by the apparatus discovery messageto transmit a response message.

The target apparatus is an apparatus to which the apparatus discoverymessage is transmitted. More specifically, the target apparatus is anapparatus that satisfies the requirement indicated by the apparatusdiscovery message from among the apparatuses on the first network.

Here, the message monitoring unit 1106 does noting when the targetapparatus is in an activated state, but requests the proxy response unit1109 to transmit a proxy response when the target apparatus is not in anactivated state. In addition, when the message monitoring unit 1106receives a network join message such as Notify, the message monitoringunit 1106 notifies the activation time collecting and managing unit 1107of the reception.

The network join message is a message indicting that the message-sourceapparatus is now in a state for communication in the first network 1001.In other words, the network join message is a message indicating thatthe message-source apparatus is now in an activated state.

The activation time collecting and managing unit 1107 corresponds to anactivation time collecting unit, and collects an activation time of thetarget apparatus based on a time (remote activation starting time) atwhich remote activation of the target apparatus is started and a time(network join message reception time) at which the network join messageis received. Here, the remote-activation starting time is obtained fromthe remote-activation control unit 1105, and the network join messagereception time is obtained from the message monitoring unit 1106. Inother words, the activation time collecting and managing unit 1107collects, as an activation time, a time duration from the remoteactivation starting time to the network join message reception time.

Here, an activation time of an apparatus is a time required to changethe state of the apparatus from a non-activated state to an activatedstate. In other words, the activation state is a time duration from whenthe state of the target apparatus is changed from a state in which nocommunication in the first network 1001 can be made to a state in whichcommunication in the first network 1001 can be made.

In addition, the activation time collecting and managing unit 1107corresponds to a predicted activation time determining unit, anddetermines a predicted activation time that is a time predicted asrequired for the target apparatus to be in an activated state. In thisembodiment, the activation time collecting and managing unit 1107determines a predicted activation time that is a time predicted asrequired for the target apparatus to be in an activated state when thetarget apparatus is activated remotely in future, based on a previouslycollected activation time. More specifically, the activation timecollecting and managing unit 1107 determines, for example, theactivation time collected last as the predicted activation time.

In addition, for example, the activation time collecting and managingunit 1107 may predict, as the predicted activation time, an averagevalue of previously collected activation times. In addition, forexample, the activation time collecting and managing unit 1107 mayexclude some previously collected activation times widely different fromthe remaining previously collected activation times, and predict, as thepredicted activation time, an average value of the remaining previouslycollected activation times.

The average value may be statically averaged, and does not always needbe an arithmetic average value. Alternatively, the activation timecollecting and managing unit 1107 may predict, as the predictedactivation time, a median value or a mode value instead of the averagevalue. In other words, the activation time collecting and managing unit1107 may determine, as the predicted activation time, a statisticallyrepresentative value of the previously collected activation times.

The activation time collecting and managing unit 1107 does not alwaysneed to determine the predicted activation time based on the previouslycollected activation times. For example, the activation time collectingand managing unit 1107 may determine a time preset by a user as thepredicted activation time.

The activation time collecting and managing unit 1107 includes thedetermined predicted activation time of the target apparatus in anapparatus information list 1108.

Based on the request from the message monitoring unit 1106, the proxyresponse unit 1109 makes a response message to be transmitted in proxyof the target apparatus, by referring to address information and thepredicted activation time of the target apparatus stored in theapparatus information list 1108. More specifically, the proxy responseunit 1109 makes a response message including information indicating thepredicted activation time determined by the activation time collectingand managing unit 1107. The proxy response unit 1109 transmits the maderesponse message to the apparatus that is the transmission source of theapparatus discovery message.

Here, information indicating the predicted activation time does notalways need to be the information indicating the raw predictedactivation time. For example, the information indicating the predictedactivation time may be information indicating the length of thepredicted activation time. More specifically, the information indicatingthe predicted activation time may be a classification symbol (forexample, “Long”, “Medium”, or “Short”) according to the length of thepredicted activation time.

The memory unit 1110 is, for example, a hard disk or a flash memory, andstores the activation state list 1104 and the apparatus information list1108. Hereinafter, the activation state list 1104 and the apparatusinformation list 1108 are described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of an activation state list 1104according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3,the activation state list 1104 stores the apparatus ID and stateinformation in association with each other.

The apparatus ID is unique ID managed between the apparatuses on thefirst network 1001. In other words, the apparatus ID is identifier foridentifying each apparatus in the first network 1001. For example, theapparatus ID is set by the user. Otherwise, the apparatus ID may be setin the apparatus in advance.

The state information shows whether or not the apparatus identified bythe apparatus ID is in an activated state. FIG. 3 shows that theapparatus identified by the apparatus ID “ID-001” is “in a non-activatedstate”.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example of the apparatus information list 1108according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4,the apparatus information list 1108 stores the apparatus information,address information, and predicted activation time, in association withthe apparatus ID.

The apparatus information mainly shows information related to servicesthat can be provided by the target apparatus. The apparatus informationlist 1108 shown in FIG. 4 manages, for example, the apparatus identifiedby “ID-001” as a server apparatus which is capable of streaming imagesor sounds.

The address information is information for communicating between theapparatuses on the first network 1001. FIG. 4 stores, for example, an IPaddress (192.168.1.10″) as address information of the apparatusidentified by “ID-001”.

The predicted activation time is an activation time predicted by theactivation time collecting and managing unit 1107. In FIG. 4, “20seconds” is stored as a predicted activation time for the apparatusidentified by “ID-001”.

Next, the functional structure of the client apparatus 1004 is describedwith reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the functional structure of the clientapparatus 1004 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Theclient apparatus 1004 corresponds to a communication apparatus. As shownin FIG. 5, the client apparatus 1004 includes: an apparatus co-operationprocessing unit 1201, a stream reproducing unit 1202, a display unit1203, and a communication unit 1204.

The apparatus co-operation processing unit 1201 transmits an apparatusdiscovery message for discovering an apparatus that satisfies anarbitrary requirement, to each of apparatuses on the first network 1001.In this embodiment, in order to discover the server apparatus 1005 inthe first network 1001, the apparatus co-operation processing unit 1201multicasts, using the communication unit 1204, an apparatus discoverymessage that requests each apparatus to transmit a response message ifthe apparatus is the server apparatus 1005.

The apparatus co-operation processing unit 1201 receives a responsemessage in response to the transmitted apparatus discovery message. Uponreceiving the response message in response to the apparatus discoverymessage, the apparatus co-operation processing unit 1201 notifies thestream reproducing unit 1202 of the fact.

In addition, the apparatus co-operation processing unit 1201 determineswhether or not the response message includes information indicating thepredicted activation time that is the time predicted as being requiredto activate the target apparatus that satisfies the requirementindicated by the apparatus discovery message. Here, when the responsemessage includes the information indicating the predicted activationtime, the apparatus co-operation processing unit 1201 notifies thedisplay unit 1203 of the information indicating the predicted activationtime.

According to the notification from the apparatus co-operation processingunit 1201, the stream reproducing unit 1202 transmits, using thecommunication unit 1204, a stream transmission request message to thetarget apparatus (here, the server apparatus 1005) indicated by theresponse message to the apparatus discovery message. When the responsemessage includes the information indicating the predicted activationtime, the stream reproducing unit 1202 transmits the stream transmissionrequest message after the predicted activation time elapses from thereception time of the response message.

Next, the stream reproducing unit 1202 reproduces a stream that istransmitted from the server apparatus 1005 via the first network 1001.

Here, the target apparatus indicated by the response message is one ofthe apparatus which is the transmission source of the response messageand the apparatus for which transmission of the response message isperformed by proxy. In this embodiment, the target apparatus indicatedby the response message is the server apparatus 1005.

The display unit 1203 is an example of a notifying unit, and is, forexample, a liquid crystal display or a plasma display. The display unit1203 displays video data that is reproduced by the stream reproducingunit 1202. In addition, the display unit 1203 displays a predictedactivation time notified from the apparatus co-operation processing unit1201. In other words, the display unit 1203 notifies the user of theinformation indicating the predicted activation time when the receivedresponse message includes the information indicating the predictedactivation time.

The communication unit 1204 is a communication interface forcommunication with one of the apparatuses (the apparatus here is thegateway apparatus 1003 or the server apparatus 1005) connected to thefirst network 1001.

Next, the functional structure of the server apparatus 1005 is describedwith reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a functional structure of the serverapparatus 1005 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 6, the server apparatus 1005 includes: a remote-activationreceiving unit 1301, an activating unit 1302, an apparatus co-operationprocessing unit 1303, a stream transmitting unit 1305, a firstcommunication unit 1307, a second communication unit 1308, and a storageunit 1309.

The remote-activation receiving unit 1301 receives, using the secondcommunication unit 1102, a remote activation request from the gatewayapparatus 1003 via the second network 1002. Next, the remote-activationreceiving unit 1301 notifies the activating unit 1302 of the receivedremote activation request.

The activating unit 1302 activates the server apparatus 1005 accordingto the notification from the remote-activation receiving unit 1301. Inother words, the activating unit 1302 changes the state of the serverapparatus 1005 from a non-activated state to an activated state.

When the server apparatus is in the activated state, the apparatusco-operation processing unit 1303 receives an apparatus discoverymessage from the client apparatus 1004 via the first network 1001. Next,the apparatus co-operation processing unit 1303 checks whether or notthe apparatus (the server apparatus 1005) is the target apparatus thatsatisfies the requirement indicated by the apparatus discovery message,with reference to apparatus information 1304. When the apparatus is thetarget apparatus, the apparatus co-operation processing unit 1303transmits a response message to the transmission source of the apparatusdiscovery message.

The apparatus information 1304 includes information about the apparatus.More specifically, the apparatus information 1304 includes informationindicating whether or not the apparatus functions as a server.

The apparatus co-operation processing unit 1303 broadcasts, using thefirst communication unit 1307, a network join message to apparatuses onthe first network 1001 when the server apparatus 1005 is changed fromthe non-activated state to the activated state.

According to the stream transmission request message received from theclient apparatus 1004, the stream transmitting unit 1305 reads out acontent 1306 from the storage unit 1309 and transmits the content 1306in the form of a stream to the client apparatus 1004.

The first communication unit 1307 is a communication interface forcommunicating with one of the apparatuses (the apparatus here is thegateway apparatus 1003 or the client apparatus 1004) connected in thefirst network 1001. In addition, the second communication unit 1102 is acommunication interface for communication with one of the apparatuses(the apparatus here is the gateway apparatus 1003) connected in thesecond network 1002.

The storage unit 1309 is, for example, a hard disk or a flash memory.The storage unit 1309 stores the apparatus information 1304 and thecontent 1306.

Next, descriptions are given of various kinds of operations performed inthe apparatus co-operation network system 1000 configured as describedabove.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an information flow in theapparatus co-operation network system 1000 according to Embodiment 1 ofthe present invention. FIG. 7 illustrates a case where the serverapparatus 1005 is in a non-activated state as an initial state.

First, the apparatus co-operation processing unit 1201 of the clientapparatus 1004 broadcasts the apparatus discovery message to theapparatuses (the gateway apparatus 1003 and the server apparatus 1005)in the first network 1001 (Step S101). The server apparatus 1005 is inthe non-activated state, and thus cannot receive the apparatus discoverymessage.

Next, the activation state managing unit 1103 of the gateway apparatus1003 checks whether or not the target apparatus that satisfies therequirement indicated by the apparatus discovery message is in anactivated state or not. Here, the activation state managing unit 1103extracts the apparatus ID (“ID-001”) of the apparatus whose apparatusinformation in the apparatus information list 1108 shown in FIG. 4indicates that the apparatus functions as a server apparatus. Next, theactivation state managing unit 1103 checks whether or not the apparatushaving the extracted apparatus ID is in an activated state, withreference to the activation state list 1104 shown in FIG. 3. In thisembodiment, the apparatus identified by “ID-001” is assumed to be theserver apparatus 1005.

Since the server apparatus 1005 is not in an activated state, theremote-activation control unit 1105 transmits, to the server apparatus1005, a remote activation request for remotely activating the serverapparatus 1005 (Step S102).

In addition, the proxy response unit 1109 of the gateway apparatus 1003transmits a proxy response message including the information indicatingthe predicted activation time in proxy of the server apparatus 1005 tothe client apparatus that is the transmission source of the apparatusdiscovery message (Step S103). More specifically, for example, the proxyresponse unit 1109 obtains a predicted activation time (“20 seconds”)required for the server apparatus 1005, with reference to the apparatusinformation list 1108 shown in FIG. 4. Next, the proxy response unit1109 transmits, to the client apparatus 1004, the proxy response messageincluding the information indicating the predicted activation timeobtained in this way.

Next, the activating unit 1302 of the server apparatus 1005 activatesthe server apparatus 1005 according to the remote activation request(Step S104). Next, when the server apparatus 1005 is changed into anactivated state, the apparatus co-operation processing unit 1303multicasts the network join message to the apparatus in the firstnetwork 1001 (Step S105).

The activation time collecting and managing unit 1107 of the gatewayapparatus 1003 collects, as an activation time required for the serverapparatus 1005, a time duration from a remote activation requesttransmission time to a network join message reception time. Furthermore,using the activation time collected in this way, the activation timecollecting and managing unit 1107 determines, as a predicted activationtime, the time predicted as being required for future remote activationof the server apparatus 1005, and adds the predicted activation time inthe apparatus information list 1108.

The apparatus co-operation processing unit 1201 of the client apparatus1004 transmits a stream transmission request message to the serverapparatus 1005 after the predicted activation time elapses from the timepoint at which the proxy response message is received (Step S106).

The stream transmitting unit 1305 of the server apparatus 1005 receivesthe stream transmission request message from the client apparatus 1004,and transmits the stream transmission response message to the clientapparatus 1004 (Step S107). Next, the stream reproducing unit 1202 ofthe client apparatus 1004 executes a process (hereinafter referred to asa “stream reproducing process) required to reproduce the streamtransmitted from the server apparatus 1005 (Step S108).

Next, a flow of processes performed by the gateway apparatus 1003 isexplained with reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the processes performed by the gatewayapparatus 1003 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Morespecifically, FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the processes starting with theprocess in which the gateway apparatus 1003 detects the apparatusdiscovery message and ending with the process in which the gatewayapparatus 1003 adds the predicted activation time to the apparatusinformation list 1108.

Before starting the processes shown in FIG. 8, the activation statemanaging unit 1103 checks, using the second communication unit 1102,whether or not each of the apparatuses on the second network 1002 is anactivated state, and adds the result of the check to the activationstate list 1104.

As such a method for checking whether or not an apparatus is in anactivated state, for example, information indicating whether or not eachof the apparatus in the second network 1002 is in an activated state ornot may be notified to the activation state managing unit 1103 of thegateway apparatus 1003. Alternatively, the activation state managingunit 1103 of the gateway apparatus 1003 may ask each apparatus in thesecond network 1002 periodically or at an arbitrary timing.

The message monitoring unit 1106 monitors messages communicated on thefirst network 1001, and detects that one of the messages is received bythe first communication unit 1101. The message monitoring unit 1106determines whether or not the received message is an apparatus discoverymessage (Step S1001). When determining that the received message is notan apparatus discovery message (No in Step S1001), the messagemonitoring unit 1106 returns back to a message monitoring state.

When determining that the received message is an apparatus discoverymessage (Yes in Step S1001), the message monitoring unit 1106 extracts,as the target apparatus, the apparatus that satisfies the requirementindicated by the apparatus discovery message, with reference to theapparatus information list 1108. Next, activation state managing unit1103 checks whether or not the target apparatus is in an activatedstate, with reference to the apparatus state list 1104 (Step S1002).

Here, when the target apparatus is in an activated state (Yes in StepS1003), the message monitoring unit 1106 returns back to a messagemonitoring state. When the target apparatus is not in an activated state(No in Step S1003), the remote-activation control unit 1105 remotelyactivates the target apparatus (Step S1004). At this time, theactivation time collecting and managing unit 11007 holds the remoteactivation starting time.

In addition, the proxy response unit 1109 makes a proxy responsemessage, with reference to the apparatus information list 1108 (StepS1005). Next, the proxy response unit 1109 transmits, using the firstcommunication unit 1101, the made proxy response message to theapparatus that is the transmission source of the apparatus discoverymessage (Step S1006).

At this time, the message monitoring unit 1106 monitors the messagescommunicated in the first network 1001 (Step S1007). When the messagereceived by the first communication unit 1101 is a network join messagefrom the target apparatus remotely activated in Step S1004 (Yes in StepS1007, the activation time collecting and managing unit 1107 collectsthe activation time based on the time stored in Step S1004 and thenetwork join message reception time (Step S1008). Next, based on apreviously collected activation time of the target apparatus, theactivation time collecting and managing unit 1107 determines, as apredicted activation time, the time predicted as being required forfuture remote activation of the target apparatus (Step S1009).

Furthermore, the activation time collecting and managing unit 1107 addsthe predicted activation time to the apparatus information list 1108(Step S1010) and returns to Step S1001.

Next, a flow of processes performed by the client apparatus 1004 isdescribed with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of theprocesses performed by the client apparatus 1004 according to Embodiment1 of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 9 is a flowchart ofthe processes starting with the process in which the client apparatus1004 transmits the apparatus discovery message and ending with theprocess in which the client apparatus 1004 starts reproduction of thestream of the content.

First, the apparatus co-operation processing unit 1201 multicasts, usingthe communication unit 1204, the apparatus discovery message fordiscovering the server apparatus in the first network 1001 to theapparatuses on the first network 1001 (Step S1101). Next, the apparatusco-operation processing unit 1201 determines whether or not the messagereceived by the communication unit 1204 is a response message(hereinafter, referred to as an “apparatus discovery response message”)that is directed to the apparatus discovery message (Step S1102). Here,when the message received by the communication unit 1204 is not anapparatus discovery response message (No in Step S1102), the process inStep S1102 is repeated until an apparatus discovery response message isreceived.

When the message received by the communication unit 1204 is an apparatusdiscovery response message (Yes in Step S1102), the apparatusco-operation processing unit 1201 analyzes the apparatus discoveryresponse message (Step S1103). Next, the apparatus co-operationprocessing unit 1201 determines whether or not the apparatus discoveryresponse message includes the information indicating the predictedactivation time (Step S1104).

Here, when the apparatus discovery response message does not include theinformation indicating the predicted activation time (No in Step S1104),the stream reproducing unit 1202 determines that the server apparatus1005 that is the target apparatus indicated by the apparatus discoveryresponse message is in an activated state, and transmits the streamtransmission request message to the server apparatus 1005 (Step S1107).

When the apparatus discovery response message includes the informationindicating the predicted activation time (Yes in Step S1104), thedisplay unit 1203 displays the predicted activation time on the displayscreen (Step S1105). For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the display unit1203 displays the predicted activation time on the display screen.

Next, the apparatus co-operation processing unit 1201 waits for thepredicted activation time (Step S1106), and then notifies the streamreproducing unit 1202 of the prediction result that the server apparatus1005 is in an activated state. Next, the stream reproducing unit 1202transmits the stream transmission request message to the serverapparatus 1005 (Step S1107).

Next, the stream reproducing unit 1202 determines whether or not themessage received by the communication unit 1204 is a stream transmissionresponse message (Step S1108). Here, when the message received by thecommunication unit 1204 is not a stream transmission response message(No in Step S1108), the process in Step S1108 is repeated until a streamtransmission response message is received. When the message received bythe communication unit 1204 is a stream transmission response message(Yes in Step S1108), the stream reproducing unit 1202 starts the streamreproducing process (Step S1109).

Next, a flow of processes performed by the server apparatus 1005 isdescribed with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the activation processes performed by theserver apparatus 1005 according to Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention. More specifically, FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the processesstarting with the process in which the server apparatus 1005 receives aremote activation request and ending with the process in which theserver apparatus 1005 transmits a network join message.

First, the remote-activation receiving unit 1301 receives the remoteactivation request from the gateway apparatus 1003 via the secondnetwork 1002, and notifies the activating unit 1302 of the successfulreception of the remote activation request. Next, the activating unit1302 activates the whole server apparatus 1005 (Step S1201).

Even when the server apparatus 1005 is in a non-activated state, each ofthe activating unit 1302, the remote-activation receiving unit 1301, andthe second communication unit 1308 receives power supply, and is in aprocessing executable state.

The apparatus co-operation processing unit 1303 waits until the serverapparatus 1005 is changed into an activated state, that is, into a statein which the server apparatus 1005 can transmit a message using thefirst communication unit 1307 (Step S1202). Next, the apparatusco-operation processing unit 1303 multicasts the network join messagewhen the server apparatus 1005 is changed into the state fortransmitting the message (Step S1203).

In this way, the server apparatus 1005 transmits the network joinmessage. This enables the gateway apparatus 1003 to collect theactivation time that starts when the remote activation of the serverapparatus 1005 is started via the second network 1002 and ends when theserver apparatus 1005 is changed into the state for actuallyestablishing communication via the first network 1001.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of stream transmitting processes performed by theserver apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.More specifically, FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the processes starting withthe process in which the server apparatus 1005 receives the streamtransmission request message from the client apparatus 1004 and endingwith the process in which the server apparatus 1005 starts the streamtransmitting process.

The stream transmitting unit 1305 analyzes the stream transmissionrequest message received by the first communication unit 1307 (StepS1301). Next, the stream transmitting unit 1305 transmits the streamtransmission response message to the transmission source of the streamtransmission request message (Step S1302). Next, the stream transmittingunit 1305 transmits the requested content in the form of a stream (StepS1303).

These processes are a sequence of processes in general streaming. Forexample, the stream transmission request message is a GET requestaccording to HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) including URI (UniformResource Identifier) indicating the content. In addition, the serverapparatus 1005 transmits the stream which includes a response to theHTTP GET request in the header and includes the content data in thepayload.

In this way, with the apparatus co-operation network system according tothis embodiment, the gateway apparatus 1003 can store, as a predictedactivation time, the time predicted as being required to activate theserver apparatus 1005. As a result, even when the server apparatus 1005is not in an activated state when the client apparatus 1004 reproducesthe stream of the content in the server apparatus 1005, the clientapparatus 1004 can continue the processing, notifies the user of thepredicted activation time for the server apparatus 1005, and therebyprevents the user from becoming anxious.

In other words, with the apparatus co-operation network system accordingto this embodiment, the gateway apparatus 1003 can remotely activate thetarget apparatus to which the apparatus discovery message is directedwhen the target apparatus is not in an activated state, and transmit aresponse message including the information indicating the activationtime predicted as being required for the target apparatus to the clientapparatus 1004 in proxy of the target apparatus. Accordingly, the clientapparatus 1004 can execute various kinds of processes based on thepredicted activation time for the target apparatus, and to therebystably co-operate with the target apparatus.

More specifically, the client apparatus 1004 can notify the user of thepredicted activation time, and suppress an erroneous user operation. Inaddition, since the client apparatus 1004 can transmit the message tothe target apparatus after the elapse of the predicted activation time,and the client apparatus 1004 can stably co-operate with the targetapparatus.

Embodiment 2

Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention is described.

In this Embodiment, a case is described in which there is a plurality oftarget apparatuses that satisfies a requirement described in apparatusdiscovery message transmitted from a client apparatus 1004.

FIG. 13 schematically shows an apparatus co-operation network system2000 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 13, thesame structural elements as in those of FIG. 1 are assigned with thesame reference signs and not described here again.

As shown in FIG. 13, the apparatus co-operation network system 2000includes a first server apparatus 2005 a and a second server apparatus2005 b, in proxy of the server apparatus 1005.

A gateway apparatus 1003 and the client apparatus 1004 according to thisembodiment are similar in their functions to the equivalents inEmbodiment 1. In addition, the first server apparatus 2005 a and thesecond server apparatus 2005 b are similar in their functions to theserver apparatus 1005 according to Embodiment 1. Accordingly, the samedescriptions are not repeated for the functions of the gateway apparatus1003, the client apparatus 1004, the first server apparatus 2005 a, andthe second server apparatus 2005 b according to this embodiment.

Next, descriptions are given of various kinds of operations performed inthe apparatus co-operation network system 2000 configured as describedabove.

FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an information flow in theapparatus co-operation network system 2000 according to Embodiment 2 ofthe present invention. In FIG. 14, processes similar to those of FIG. 7are assigned with the same reference signs and not described here again.FIG. 14 illustrates a case where each of the first server apparatus 2005a and the second server 2005 b is in a non-activated state as an initialstate.

First, the apparatus co-operation processing unit 1201 of the clientapparatus 1004 broadcasts the apparatus discovery message fordiscovering an apparatus that satisfies an arbitrary requirement to theapparatuses (the gateway apparatus 1003, the first server apparatus 2005a, and the second server apparatus 2005 b) in the first network 1001(Step S201). Here, each of the first server apparatus 2005 a and thesecond server apparatus 2005 b is in the non-activated state, and thuscannot receive the apparatus discovery message.

Next, the activation state managing unit 1103 of the gateway apparatus1003 checks whether or not each target apparatus that satisfies therequirement indicated by the apparatus discovery message is in anactivated state or not. Here, an activation state managing unit 1103extracts the first server apparatus 2005 a and the second serverapparatus 2005 b as the target apparatuses. Next, the activation statemanaging unit 1103 checks whether or not each of the first serverapparatus 2005 a and the second server apparatus 2005 b is in anactivated state.

Here, since the plurality of target apparatuses are extracted, aremote-activation control unit 1105 does not transmit any remoteactivation request to the target apparatuses even when the targetapparatuses (the first server apparatus 2005 a and the second serverapparatus 2005 b) are each in a non-activated state. In other words, theremote-activation control unit 1105 remotely activates the targetapparatus when the number of target apparatuses is 1, and does notremotely activate the target apparatuses when the number of targetapparatuses is 2 or more.

A proxy response unit 1109 of the gateway apparatus 1003 transmits afirst proxy response message including information indicating predictedactivation time to the client apparatus 1004 that is the transmissionsource of the apparatus discovery message, in proxy of the first serverapparatus 2005 a (Step S202).

Furthermore, the proxy response unit 1109 transmits a second proxyresponse message including information indicating a predicted activationtime to the client apparatus 1004, in proxy of the second serverapparatus 2005 b (Step S203).

Next, the client apparatus 1004 selects a target apparatus from amongthe plurality of target apparatus indicated by a plurality of responsemessages (Step S204). Here, for example, according to a userinstruction, the client apparatus 1004 selects the first server 2005 a.

Next, an apparatus co-operation processing unit 1201 of the clientapparatus 1004 broadcasts an apparatus discovery message for discoveringthe selected target apparatus (the first server apparatus 2005 a) (StepS205). In other words, upon receiving the plurality of responsemessages, the apparatus co-operation processing unit 1201 transmits theapparatus discovery message for discovering the target apparatusselected from among the plurality of target apparatuses indicated by theplurality of response messages to the target apparatuses on the firstnetwork 1001.

At this time, only the selected target apparatus (the first serverapparatus 2005 a) satisfies the requirement indicated by the apparatusdiscovering message. Hereinafter, processing performed in Steps S102 toS108 are executed as in Embodiment 1.

Next, a flow of processes performed by the gateway apparatus 1003 isexplained with reference to FIG. 15.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the processes performed by the gatewayapparatus 1003 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Morespecifically, FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the processes starting with theprocess in which the gateway apparatus 1003 detects the apparatusdiscovery message and ending with the process in which the gatewayapparatus 1003 adds the predicted activation time to the apparatusinformation list 1108. In FIG. 15, processes similar to those of FIG. 8are assigned with the same reference signs and not described here again.

When an apparatus discovery message is discovered (Yes in Step S1001),the activation state managing apparatus 1103 checks whether or not thenumber of target apparatuses that satisfy the requirement indicated bythe apparatus discovery message is 2 or more (Step S2001). Here, whenthe number of target apparatuses is 1 (No in Step S2001), the processingperformed in Steps S1002 to S1009 are executed as in Embodiment 1.

On the other hand, when the number of target apparatuses is 2 or more(Yes in Step S2001), one target apparatus is selected from among theplurality of apparatuses (S2002). Next, the activation state managingunit 1103 checks the activation state of the selected target apparatus(Step S2003). Here, when the selected target apparatus is in anactivated state (Yes in Step S2004), Step S2007 is executed.

When the target apparatus is not in an activated state (No in StepS2004), the proxy response unit 1109 makes a proxy message (Step S2005).Next, the proxy response unit 1109 transmits, using the firstcommunication unit 1101, the made proxy response message to theapparatus that is the transmission source of the apparatus discoverymessage (Step S2006).

The proxy response unit 1109 checks whether or not there remains anytarget apparatus that is not yet selected, with reference to anapparatus information list 1108 (Step S2007). When there remains anyunselected target apparatus (Yes in Step S2007), a return is made toStep S2002. When there is no unselected target apparatus (No in StepS2007), a return is made to Step S1001.

In this way, when the number of target apparatuses is 2 or more, thegateway apparatus 1003 transmits the proxy response message for theclient apparatus 1004, but does not actually perform any remoteactivation. For this reason, the target apparatus is not remotelyactivated wastefully, until the user of the client apparatus 1004selects the target apparatus from among the target apparatuses.Therefore, it is possible to suppress increase in the power consumption.

Next, a flow of processes performed by the client apparatus 1004 isdescribed with reference to FIG. 16.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the processes performed by the clientapparatus 1004 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Morespecifically, FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the processes performed when theclient apparatus 1004 receives a plurality of response messages. In FIG.16, processes similar to those of FIG. 9 are assigned with the samereference signs and not described here again.

Upon receiving a response message (Yes in Step S1102), the apparatusco-operation processing unit 1201 stores the response message in amemory (Step S2101). The apparatus co-operation processing 1201determines whether or not a predetermined time (such as 10 seconds) isalready elapsed after the apparatus discovery message is transmitted(Step S2102).

When the predetermined time is not yet elapsed (No in Step S2102), areturn is made to Step S1102. When the predetermined time is alreadyelapsed (Yes in Step S2102), the apparatus co-operation processing unit1201 analyzes all the response messages stored in the memory (StepS2103).

Next, the display unit 1203 displays GUI (Graphical User Interface) forenabling the user to select the target apparatus from among the targetapparatuses indicated by the analyzed response messages (Step S2104).Furthermore, when a predicted activation time is obtained from theanalyzed response messages, the display unit 1203 displays the obtainedpredicted activation time for each target apparatus in association withthe target apparatus (Step S2105). More specifically, the display unit1203 displays a GUI, for example, as shown in FIG. 17A or FIG. 17B.

Each of FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B is a diagram of an example of informationdisplayed by the client apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of thepresent invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 17A, the clientapparatus 1004 displays, for each target apparatus, the apparatus name,the activation state, the predicted activation time, and the selectionbutton.

In addition, the client apparatus 1004 may display the power consumptionof each target apparatus as shown in FIG. 17B. In this case, it is onlynecessary to include such power consumption in each response message. Inthis way, with the display of such power consumption, it is possible toselect the target apparatus having a low power consumption from amongthe target apparatuses, and to thereby saving energy.

The client apparatus 1004 receives, from the user, an instruction forselecting the apparatus from among the displayed apparatuses (StepS2106). Next, the apparatus co-operation processing unit 1201 determineswhether or not the selected target apparatus is in an activated state,based on presence or absence of the information indicating the predictedactivation time in the response message (Step S2107).

Here, when the selected target apparatus is not in an activated state(No in Step S2107), the apparatus co-operation processing unit 1201broadcasts the apparatus discovery message for discovering the selectedtarget apparatus to the apparatuses on the first network 1001 (StepS2108). When the selected target apparatus is in an activated state (Yesin Step S2107), the process is completed, and a transition is made to astream reproducing process.

In Step S1508, triggered by the transmission of the apparatus discoverymessage for identifying the selected target apparatus, the gatewayapparatus 1003 performs an operation similar to an operation performedin Embodiment 1. In other words, the target apparatus that satisfies therequirement indicated by the apparatus discovery message is remotelyactivated. Furthermore, until the activation of the target apparatus iscompleted, the client apparatus 1004 can display, on the display screen,a waiting time based on the predicted activation time indicted by theinformation included in the proxy response message.

In this way, with the apparatus co-operation network system 2000according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress power consumedwhen the target apparatus is activated wastefully even when there is aplurality of target apparatuses that satisfy the requirement indicatedby the apparatus discovery message. Furthermore, it is possible tonotify the user of the predicted activation time, and continue theapparatus co-operation processing.

In other words, with the apparatus co-operation network system 2000according to this embodiment, there is no need to remotely activate allthe target apparatuses in non-activated states, and thus it is possibleto suppress increase in the power consumption.

The apparatus co-operation network system according to an aspect of thepresent invention has been described above based on the embodiments, butthe present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Those skilledin the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possiblein the exemplary embodiments and other embodiments are possible byarbitrarily combining the structural elements of the embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantageous effectsof the present invention. Accordingly, all of the modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of thisinvention.

In Embodiments 1 and 2, the proxy response message transmitted by aproxy apparatus in proxy of a target apparatus includes informationindicating a predicted activation time. However, for example, the proxyresponse message may further include information indicating a predictionaccuracy of the predicted activation time. In this case, it is onlynecessary for the activation time collecting and managing unit 1107 tocalculate the prediction accuracy based on the number of times ofcollecting an activation time of activating the target apparatus (thisnumber is hereinafter referred to as “the number of collections”). Morespecifically, the activation time collecting and managing unit 1107 maycalculate the prediction accuracy, for example, such that the predictionaccuracy increases with an increase in the number of collections. Inaddition, for example, the activation time collecting and managing unit1107 may calculate the prediction accuracy by using a variance of thecollected activation times. When a prediction accuracy is calculatedbased on the number of collections, the apparatus information list 1108further includes the number of collections as shown in FIG. 18.

In this way, with the information indicating the prediction accuracy isincluded in the response message, the client apparatus 1004 can executevarious kinds of processes based on the prediction accuracy, and tothereby stably co-operate with the target apparatus. More specifically,in the case of a low prediction accuracy, the client apparatus 1004 mayfurther delay the timing for transmitting a message to the serverapparatus 1005 after the predicted activation time is elapsed. Inaddition, the client apparatus 1004 may display the prediction accuracyon the display screen.

In addition, in Embodiments 1 and 2, the network join messagetransmitted from the remotely-activated target apparatus may includeinformation indicating whether or not the target apparatus is remotelyactivated by the gateway apparatus 1003. In this way, the activationtime collecting and managing unit 1107 is required to collect theactivation time of the target apparatus only when the network joinmessage indicates the successful remote activation of the targetapparatus.

With this structure, the gateway apparatus 1003 can collect anactivation time only when the network join message indicates thesuccessful remote activation. In other words, the gateway apparatus 1003can prevent collection of an activation time, based on the network joinmessage that is transmitted in the case of activation by an activationprocess other than remote activation. As a result, it is possible tocollect an accurate activation time in the case of the remote activationby the gateway apparatus 1001

In addition, the client apparatus 1004 displays the predicted activationtime on the display screen in Embodiments 1 and 2, but the predictedactivation time may not be displayed. For example, the client apparatus1004 may include a voice output unit that outputs a voice messageindicating a predicted activation time. In other words, the clientapparatus 1004 may include a notifying unit that notifies the user ofthe predicted activation time.

In addition, in Embodiments 1 and 2, the predicted activation time ispredicted when the activation time is collected. However, the timing forthe prediction may not be other timing. For example, it is possible topredict a predicted activation time immediately before transmitting theproxy response message. In this case, the apparatus information list1108 may store the raw collected activation time, instead of thepredicted activation time.

In addition, in Embodiments 1 and 2, the processes for discovering theserver apparatus that transmits a stream. However, the present inventionis not limited to the processes. For example, the present invention maybe applied to processes for discovering a client apparatus.

In addition, in Embodiments 1 and 2, as shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 17A, orFIG. 17B, the display unit 1203 displays the raw predicted activationtime. However, the predicted activation time may be displayed in otherforms. For example, the display unit 1203 may display the predictedactivation time in the form of a symbol that is “Long”, “Medium”, or“Short”.

In addition, in Embodiments 1 and 2, the activation time collecting andmanaging unit 1107 collects the activation time of the target apparatususing the activation starting time of the target apparatus and thenetwork join message reception time of the target apparatus. However,the activation time collecting and managing unit 1107 may collect theactivation time of the target apparatus based on the power consumptionvalue of the target apparatus. More specifically, the activation timecollecting and managing unit 1107 may collect the activation time of thetarget apparatus, for example, based on the result of comparing historyof the power consumption values of the target apparatus with each ofpredetermined patterns.

In this case, the gateway apparatus 1003 may include a power consumptionmeasuring unit that measures the power consumption values of the targetapparatus. In addition, the gateway apparatus 1003 may obtain powerconsumption values of the target apparatus from a power consumptionmeasuring device. This power consumption measuring unit or the powerconsumption measuring device may measure the power consumption valuesby, for example, measuring the current values at electric outlets ordistribution switchboards provided in a building in which the gatewayapparatus 1003 is provided. At this time, the current value may bemeasured, for example, for each electric outlet, each breaker, or thewhole building.

In addition, in Embodiments 1 and 2, the gateway apparatus 1003 includesthe structural elements shown in FIG. 2, but the gateway apparatus 1003does not always need to include all the structural elements. Forexample, the gateway apparatus may be the gateway apparatus 10 as shownin FIG. 19. In other words, the gateway apparatus 10 may be for allowinga plurality of apparatuses on a first network to co-operate with eachother, and may include: a message monitoring unit 11 configured tomonitor messages communicated on the first network, and detect anapparatus discovery message for discovering an apparatus that satisfiesan arbitrary requirement; an activation state managing unit 12configured to check whether at least one target apparatus among theapparatuses that satisfies the requirement indicated by the apparatusdiscovery message is in an activated state for communication on thefirst network; a predicted activation time determining unit 13configured to determine a predicted activation time that is a timepredicted as required to activate the at least one target apparatus; anda proxy response unit 14 configured to transmit, in proxy of the atleast one target apparatus, a response message including informationindicating the predicted activation time when the at least one targetapparatus is not in an activated state.

In addition, in Embodiments 1 and 2, the gateway apparatus 1004 includesthe structural elements shown in FIG. 5, but the gateway apparatus 1004does not always need to include all the structural elements. Forexample, the client apparatus 1004 may be a communication apparatuswhich co-operate with apparatuses on a first network, may include anapparatus co-operation processing unit configured to transmit, to theapparatuses on the first network, an apparatus discovery message fordiscovering an apparatus that satisfies an arbitrary requirement, andreceives response messages to the apparatus discovery message, and mayexecute a predetermined process, based on the predicted activation timewhen the response message includes the predicted activation time that istime predicted as required to activate the at least one target apparatusthat satisfies the requirement indicated by the apparatus discoverymessage.

In addition, a part or all of the structural elements of the gatewayapparatus 1003, the client apparatus 1004, or the server apparatus 1005according to any of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 may be configured witha single system LSI (Large Scale Integration) circuit. For example, thegateway apparatus 1003 may be configured with a system LSI including amessage monitoring unit, an activation state managing unit, a predictedactivation time determining unit, and a proxy response unit.

The system LSI is a super-multi-function LSI manufactured by integratingconstituent units on a single chip, and is specifically a computersystem configured to include a microprocessor, a ROM (Read Only Memory)and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and so on. The ROM includes a computerprogram recorded therein. The system LSI achieves its function throughthe microprocessor's operations according to the computer program.

The name used here is system LSI, but it may also be called IC, systemLSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration.Moreover, ways to achieve integration are not limited to the LSI, andspecial circuit or general purpose processor and so forth can alsoachieve the integration. Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) that canbe programmed after manufacturing LSI or a reconfigurable processor thatallows re-configuration of the connection or configuration of LSI can beused for the same purpose.

Furthermore, if integrated circuit technology that replaces LSI appearsthorough progress in semiconductor technology or other derivedtechnology, that technology can naturally be used to carry outintegration of the constituent elements. Biotechnology is anticipated toapply.

Furthermore, the present invention can be realized not only as thegateway apparatus including the above-described unique processing units,but also as an apparatus co-operation method including the stepscorresponding to the unique processing units of the gateway apparatus.In addition, the present invention can be realized as a computer programfor causing a computer to execute the unique steps of the apparatusco-operation method. Such a computer program can naturally bedistributed via non-transitory computer-readable recording media such asCD-ROMs and communication networks such as the Internet.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

An apparatus co-operation network system according to the presentinvention is applicable as, for example, an AV system for allowing AVapparatuses on a home network to co-operate with each other.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   10 Gateway apparatus-   11, 1106 Message monitoring unit-   12, 1103 Activation state managing unit-   13 Predicted activation time determining unit-   14, 1109 Proxy response unit-   1105 Remote-activation control unit-   1000, 2000 Apparatus network system-   1001 First network-   1002 Second network-   1003 Gateway apparatus-   1004 Client apparatus-   1005 Server apparatus-   1101, 1307 First communication unit-   1102, 1308 Second communication unit-   1104 Activation state list-   1107 Activation time collecting and managing unit-   1108 Apparatus information list-   1110, 1309 Memory unit-   1201, 1303 Apparatus co-operation processing unit-   1202 Stream reproducing unit-   1203 Display unit-   1204 Communication unit-   1301 Remote-activation receiving unit-   1302 Activating unit-   1304 Apparatus information-   1305 Stream transmitting unit-   1306 Contents-   2005 a First server apparatus-   2005 b Second server apparatus

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A gateway apparatus for allowing a plurality ofapparatuses on a first network to co-operate with each other, thegateway apparatus comprising: a message monitoring unit configured tomonitor messages communicated on the first network, and detect anapparatus discovery message for discovering an apparatus that satisfiesan arbitrary requirement; an activation state managing unit configuredto check whether at least one target apparatus included in theapparatuses and satisfying the requirement indicated by the apparatusdiscovery message is in an activated state for communication on thefirst network; a predicted activation time determining unit configuredto monitor the messages communicated on the first network, and determinea predicted activation time that is a time predicted as required toactivate the at least one target apparatus; and a proxy response unitconfigured to transmit, in proxy of the at least one target apparatus, aresponse message including information indicating the predictedactivation time, when the at least one target apparatus is not in anactivated state.
 17. The gateway apparatus according to claim 16,further comprising an activation time collecting unit configured tocollect an activation time of the at least one target apparatus, basedon a time at which activation of the at least one target apparatus isstarted and a reception time of a network join message indicating thatthe at least one target apparatus is already in the activated state forcommunication on the first network, wherein the predicted activationtime determining unit is configured to determine the predictedactivation time, based on a previously collected activation time of theat least one target apparatus.
 18. The gateway apparatus according toclaim 17, wherein the predicted activation time determining unit isfurther configured to calculate a prediction accuracy of the predictedactivation time, based on the number of times of collecting anactivation time of the at least one target apparatus, and the responsemessage further includes information indicating the prediction accuracy.19. The gateway apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising aremote-activation control unit configured to remotely activate the atleast one target apparatus via a second network, when the responsemessage is transmitted, wherein the activation time collecting unit isconfigured to collect the activation time of the at least one targetapparatus, regarding a time at which remote activation of the at leastone target apparatus is started as the time at which the activation ofthe at least one target apparatus is started.
 20. The gateway apparatusaccording to claim 19, wherein the network join message includesinformation indicating whether the at least one target apparatus isalready remotely activated by the gateway apparatus or not, and theactivation time collecting unit is configured to collect the activationtime of the at least one target apparatus only when the network joinmessage indicates that the at least one target apparatus is alreadyremotely activated by the gateway apparatus.
 21. The gateway apparatusaccording to claim 19, wherein the remote-activation control unit isconfigured to remotely activate the at least one target apparatus whenthe at least one target apparatus is one in number, and avoid remotelyactivating the at least one target apparatus when the at least onetarget apparatus is two or more in number.
 22. The gateway apparatusaccording to claim 16, further comprising an activation time collectingunit configured to collect an activation time of the at least one targetapparatus, based on a power consumption value of the at least one targetapparatus, wherein the predicted activation time determining unit isconfigured to determine the predicted activation time, based on apreviously collected activation time of the at least one targetapparatus.
 23. A communication apparatus which co-operates withapparatuses on a first network, the communication apparatus comprisingan apparatus co-operation processing unit configured to transmit, to theapparatuses on the first network, an apparatus discovery message fordiscovering an apparatus that satisfies an arbitrary requirement, andreceive a response message to the apparatus discovery message, thecommunication apparatus executing at least one predetermined process,based on the predicted activation time when the response messageincludes the predicted activation time that is a time predicted asrequired to activate the at least one target apparatus that satisfiesthe requirement indicated by the apparatus discovery message, wherein,when a plurality of response messages is received, the apparatusco-operation processing unit is further configured to transmit, to theapparatuses on the first network, an apparatus discovery message fordiscovering one target apparatus selected from among a plurality oftarget apparatuses indicated by the plurality of response messages. 24.The communication apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising anotifying unit configured to execute, as the predetermined process, aprocess of notifying a user of the predicted activation time inassociation with the target apparatus indicated by the response message,when the response message includes the predicted activation time. 25.The communication apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the apparatusco-operation processing unit is configured, when the response messageincludes the predicted activation time, to execute, as the predeterminedprocess, a process of transmitting, to the at least one target apparatusindicated by the response message, a message for co-operation betweenthe communication apparatus and the target apparatus, after thepredicted activation time elapses from a reception time of the responsemessage.
 26. An apparatus co-operation network system comprising: acommunication apparatus which co-operates with a plurality ofapparatuses on a first network; and a gateway apparatus for allowingsome of the plurality of apparatuses on the first network to co-operatewith each other, wherein the communication apparatus includes anapparatus co-operation processing unit configured to transmit, to theapparatuses on the first network, an apparatus discovery message fordiscovering an apparatus that satisfies an arbitrary requirement, andreceive a response message to the apparatus discovery message, and thegateway apparatus includes: a message monitoring unit configured tomonitor messages communicated on the first network, and detect anapparatus discovery message for discovering an apparatus that satisfiesan arbitrary requirement; an activation state managing unit configuredto check whether at least one target apparatus included in theapparatuses and satisfying the requirement indicated by the apparatusdiscovery message is in an activated state for communication on thefirst network; a predicted activation time determining unit configuredto monitor the messages communicated on the first network, and determinea predicted activation time that is a time predicted as required toactivate the at least one target apparatus; and a proxy response unitconfigured to transmit, in proxy of the at least one target apparatus, aresponse message including information indicating the predictedactivation time, when the at least one target apparatus is not in anactivated state.
 27. The gateway apparatus according to claim 16,wherein the gateway apparatus is configured as an integrated circuit.28. An apparatus co-operation method for allowing a plurality ofapparatuses on a first network to co-operate with each other, theapparatus co-operation method comprising: monitoring messagescommunicated on the first network, and detecting an apparatus discoverymessage for discovering an apparatus that satisfies an arbitraryrequirement; checking whether at least one target apparatus included inthe apparatuses and satisfying the requirement indicated by theapparatus discovery message is in an activated state for communicationon the first network; monitoring the messages communicated on the firstnetwork, and determining a predicted activation time that is a timepredicted as required to activate the at least one target apparatus; andtransmitting, in proxy of the at least one target apparatus, a responsemessage including information indicating the predicted activation time,when the at least one target apparatus is not in an activated state. 29.A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recordedthereon a program for causing a computer to execute the apparatusco-operation method according to claim 28.